Labor rallies around candidates

J. Patrick Coolican and Michael J. Mishak

Saturday, March 24, 2007 | 7:01 a.m.

The influence of big labor in Nevada's Democratic presidential caucus was apparent at a Culinary 226 rally Friday night as New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson all but read aloud the Culinary's demands in the union's ongoing contract negotiations.

Richardson, a former congressman and ambassador to the United Nations, said he stands with the union as it seeks "card-check" protection, a career development ladder, health care benefits, pension protection, better opportunities for black workers, an affordable housing trust and a tip-earner protection fund.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., was more artful, weaving in contract demands with the rest of her address and adding a little history about the Frontier strike, as well as some other easy applause lines. "What happens with you in Vegas," she said of the powerful labor movement here, " shouldn't stay here in Vegas. Your example should be followed across the country."

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., the third major candidate to appear, told the crowd about his time in Chicago, where he has picketed with workers who have been striking the Congress Hotel. "With all the profits, all the wealth being created, it's absolutely critical workers get their fair share," he said.

The candidates are seeking an edge from Nevada's largest and most politically active union. Through aggressive organizing, the Culinary has more than tripled its membership, from 18,000 to about 60,000, in the past 18 years, becoming the fastest-growing local in the nation. That organizing muscle would be a large advantage in the state's Democratic caucus.

For the Culinary, the rally comes at a critical time. Contracts covering about 50,000 of its members expire June 1. The union started negotiations with MGM Mirage last week. With 10 Strip casinos, the company is the largest player in town, and those talks will set the pace for negotiations up and down the Strip.

The union is also in a prime spot to get candidates on record about labor issues, such as federal legislation that passed the U.S. House this month, which would require employers to recognize unions through card check, effectively exporting the Las Vegas labor model to the rest of the nation. The legislation almost certainly will not become law, however, unless a Democrat is elected president and Democrats retain control of Congress.

For the Nevada Democratic Party, the power of the labor movement in its first important presidential caucus offers the staffing needed to run a caucus, which will require legions of volunteers.

But if the caucus is seen as a union-only event, it could leave some candidates and voters believing they have been left out.